Yamaha Niken: the road test of the first 3-wheel motorcycle [VIDEO]

Whether you love it or hate it, there has certainly been a lot of talk about it since its presentation in the last edition of Eicma. This is the first three-wheeled motorcycle, Yamaha Niken, which we tested in preview (here is our complete article). Now we present it to you again in a video, to show you some details of our first experience riding a 3-wheel motorcycle.

Of its appearance we can only tell you that it is certainly different. In fact, the front part has proportions never seen before, both due to the presence of two wheels and the double fork, but also due to a deliberately provocative style. Pleases? A matter of taste, but for us it is also a marginal issue compared to the substance of Niken. The haters cling to a look that they say they don't like, but there is no doubt that the pride of closed-minded purists is affected above all by the presence of the third wheel. We went through this with the debut of the MP3 in 2006, targeted and derided by some, which then became a "normal", or rather a perfect vehicle for the city. 3-wheel scooters are very popular in Paris, for example, due to their safety in all conditions. Now Yamaha is launching a different challenge, the double front tire not only for greater safety, but above all to increase adrenaline and fun. It is no coincidence that a parallel was drawn for the launch with carving in the ski world, amidst the "curious" smiles of Valentino Rossi.

It does not stand on its own, demonstrating the fact that the third wheel does not only have the purpose of supporting the vehicle and cannot even be called a tricycle. The front track technically remains below the level which leaves it in the motorcycle category. The Niken is a relative of the Tracer 900, from which it inherits the heart, which has only been given greater inertia with an increased mass of the crankshaft and a shorter ratio, to guarantee similar performance, despite the greater weight, which we remember be 263 kg in running order (about 50 more than a Tracer 900). The two also have part of the chassis in common, which is obviously characterized by a front end never seen before.

What is called a quadrilateral tilting system and which guarantees bending angles of up to 45°, is made up of a double fork, with the stems which are lateral to each wheel, but also of different diameters: 41 mm for the two front, 43 for the rear, which are also the only ones to integrate the hydraulics of the suspension. Even the front tyres, specially developed by Bridgestone, are the result of a study and a compromise between stability and handling, which aimed to favor driving pleasure. The wheels, placed 410 mm apart, are 15”. Coincidentally, just like the TMax, another much discussed vehicle from the Iwata company, but very successful. Small rims that also limit the diameter of the brake discs, just 265 mm.

Discovering a new world

Getting on the bike is quite exciting, it's one of those first times that will definitely leave a lasting impression on you. The position is also particular, because to optimize the arrangement of the weights, you ride further back, with the handlebars sliding 50 mm towards the rear and the seat in the saddle in a similar way. How is it going? Once the engine is turned on and the clutch released, the sensation of being on a three-wheeler almost vanishes once you have exceeded 30-40 km/h, only a greater weight of the front remains at very low speeds, as well as an important presence in the area in front of the tank, which however does not reveal the mechanics. Also noteworthy is a small inconvenience linked to the front wheels, which lift more material towards the feet (and water in case of rain).

For the rest it is easy, very precise and offers a very substantial advantage over any other bike. As you become more familiar with a "Martian" front end, you realize that you can do things like Valentino Rossi, without being one. It is no longer necessary to even "take measurements" of the roads you travel on, because the Niken does not fear dirty or damp asphalt and leaves you with the desire to enjoy the bends without the slightest stress. Here we are reminded of that skiing comparison with carving and we feel like we are on a perfect, deserted slope, to be enjoyed endlessly. Not even from a physical point of view does he feel more tired, despite his large size. Thanks to its excellent balance, it is indeed an "easy bike", which can be ridden exactly like a normal motorbike, but with the limits of physics that bend to its technological innovation.

The footpegs are filed down and, if you want to exaggerate, you can also remove the traction control and let the rear slide by exaggerating with the throttle when exiting corners, thanks to a front end that never betrays. The only real flaw remains the brakes, limited by the diameter of the discs that the 15" rims can contain, but which on the other hand have the advantage of being able to clamp even inside the curve. In fact, the driving style must change to discover a new world, which we, in all sincerity, didn't mind at all, despite what the haters write behind their PC screens.

To ride the revolution, as the slogan with which Niken was launched says (Ride the Revolution), you need it 14.990 €. We are not even that far from a Tracer 900, given that a GT costs over 12 thousand euros, and we are faced with something absolutely innovative, that's objective. Also innovative in terms of purchase, given that it can be booked online and will be delivered from September onwards.

Tester clothing:
Spidi jacket, trousers and gloves
TCX RT RACE PRO AIR boots
LS2 Valiant helmet